Saturday, February 16, 2008

This is the time of year that is usually the most challenging for homeschooling moms. The holidays have long gone, the cold winter temperatures(for most of us) are dragging, and the yearning for spring and newness is on the forefront of our minds. Combine that with the thought of the new school year ahead, curriculum/teaching changes and thoughts, and the thought of the teaching methods that were sure to work--and are not working, many moms feel like this.

This is our 7th year homeschooling, and every year is the same. So new homeschoolers know that you are not odd if you are feeling this way.

I have tried to implement a few things around this time of year to help me through this tough time of the school year. Some of these tips I have picked up from others along the way.

1. Read positive inspiring words.

Daily reading of the bible; a homeschool devotional or article is helpful.

2.Listen to homeschool conference tapes/cd's

This is invaluable. If you attend a conference and are able to purchase cd's, do so. It is very helpful and inspiring to listen to them when you are "in the middle" of your school year." You can also purchase here http://bestchristianconferences.com/ (search for state homeschool conventions)

3. Go on a field trip.

Get out from the routine and visit a local art or science museum. Seasonal clearance sales, or spring shopping are also nice trips. :-)

4. Excercise

Get out (if you can), or borrow a fun exercise dvd from the library, and let everyone participate.

5. Try somthing new.

Try a new craft, read a new genre, cook a few new recipes.

I hope these are helpful tips.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).